Chlorpyrifos Ban Bill Fails to Pass in 2018, Onward to 2019
Thanks to all of you who contacted your legislators and urged their support of Md SB 500/HB 116–the bills banning the brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos.The bills had a strong start with excellent testimony in House and Senate committees from public health experts and farmers. The Senate bill was voted out of committee and headed quickly toward a floor vote. At the same time, the House bill appeared to have strong committee support and had a good chance of going to the House floor for a vote.
However, the possibility of the ban also galvanized opponents—DOW Chemical, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Md Farm Bureau and the Md Grain Producers—who claimed they need to keep this pesticide in their toolbox, despite clear evidence that safer products exist. Sadly, we were a few votes short for bill passage in the Senate.
We aren’t giving up! Our lead legislators intend to work to pass the bill in 2019. We will continue to build public awareness and support for the bill.
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Thanks to all who contacted your legislators and urged their support of Md SB 500/HB 116—the bill banning brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos. Sadly, we fell a few votes short for passage on the Senate floor. Our strong testimony by public health experts and farmers led to passage in the Senate Committee and strong support for passage in the House Committee, but also galvanized strong opposition from DOW Chemical, the golf course industry, Md Farm Bureau and Grain Producers. Stay tuned—together we’ll continue working with lead legislators to pass the bill in 2019! http://bit.ly/1fnq3G1
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Thanks to all who supported Md SB500/HB116 to ban brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos. It often takes important legislation more than one year to pass. Together we will continue to work for bill pass in 2019. http://bit.ly/1fnq3G1
Thanks,
Bonnie
Bonnie Raindrop,
Grassroot Coordinator,
Smart on Pesticides Campaign
Legislative Chair,
Central Maryland Beekeepers Association
410-404-3808
legislate@centralmarylandbees.org
Maryland United for Peace and Justice 